Discharge assembly for a wagon

ABSTRACT

A discharge assembly for a bulk materials rail wagon includes a closure assembly movable to open and close an opening. The closure member includes a cover member and stiffener having a web and flange. In one form an upper surface of the flange is raked. In one form the edge of the stiffener web extends along a concave path to reduce stress concentration in the closure member.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/AU2012/001282, filed Oct. 19, 2012, which claims the priority of Australian Application No. 2011-904496, filed Oct. 28, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to rail wagons and particularly but not exclusively to closure assemblies for bulk material outlets on rail wagons.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rail wagons, such as articulated railway freight trains, trucks and wagons which utilise containers for carriage of bulk materials (such as mineral ores, grains and the like) typically include discharge assemblies within the container. In some rail wagons the discharge assemblies comprise an outlet for gravitational discharge and a closure which is moveable to allow discharge.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Some embodiments provide a rail wagon discharge assembly including a base incorporating at least one opening configured to allow gravity discharge of bulk material from a container of the rail wagon; a closure member associated with the at least one opening and moveable between an open position and a closed position; wherein the closure member includes a cover member having an upper and a lower surface which in use covers at least a portion of the opening, and a stiffener extending along at least a portion of the lower surface of the cover member, the stiffener comprising a flange spaced from the lower surface of the cover member and a web extending between the cover member and the flange, the flange having a raked upper surface.

Some embodiments provide a rail wagon discharge assembly including a base incorporating at least one opening configured to allow gravity discharge of bulk material from a container of the rail wagon; a closure member associated with the at least one opening and moveable between an open position and a closed position; wherein the closure member comprises cover member having an upper and a lower surface which in use covers at least a portion of the opening, and a stiffener extending along at least a portion of the lower surface of the cover member, the stiffener including a flange spaced apart from the lower surface of the cover member and a web extending between the cover member and the flange, the closure member being supported on the base at opposite end regions of the cover member, the end regions being slideable along the base to allow movement of the closure member between the open and closed positions and wherein opposite edges of the web of the stiffener join the cover member inwardly of the opposite end regions and extend along a concave path between the cover member and the flange so as to inhibit stress concentration in the stiffener.

Some embodiments are also directed to a closure member for use in the discharge assemblies in any form described above.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the discharge assembly embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of one example of a bulk material railway wagon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a discharge assembly for the wagon of FIG. 1. The assembly is shown separate to the wagon container for the ease of illustration;

FIG. 3 is a partial side view of the discharge assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detailed partial perspective view of the discharge assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a detailed partial side view of the discharge assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the closure member of the discharge assembly of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of the closure member of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an end view of the closure member of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a second embodiment of closure member for the discharge assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a side elevation of the closure member of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the closure member of FIGS. 9; and

FIG. 12 is an end view of the closure member of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure is directed generally to railway wagons and the disclosure is described generally in the context of freight wagons for the carriage of bulk material.

Articulated railway freight trains and trucks which utilise containers for carriage of bulk materials (such as mineral ores, grains and the like) are known. In rail applications, the bulk materials container can be seated on an elongate wagon underframe which itself is connected to two bogies located near either end of the wagon underframe. The bogies include wheel sets and a bogie bolster to which the wagon underframe is mounted via an articulated connection or centreplate device. The articulated connection is provided by mating a male member of the underframe and a female component of the bogie bolster.

Discharge of bulk materials from the container involves, in some forms, gravitational discharge through an opening or outlet situated in the base or at a lower section of the container. The openings or outlets have doors, louvers, covers, slats or other closure members associated with them and configured such that the openings can be closed for carriage of bulk materials and opened for discharge of bulk materials. The closure members are therefore moveable to close and open the openings. In some forms the closure members are moveable by sliding or rotation. In some known forms in the closed position the closure members are configured to support the weight of the bulk materials stored in the container while being moveable.

In one embodiment, a rail wagon discharge assembly is disclosed that comprises a base incorporating at least one opening configured to allow gravity discharge of bulk material from a container of the rail wagon; a closure member associated with the at least one opening and moveable between an open position and a closed position; wherein the closure member comprises a cover member having an upper and a lower surface which in use covers at least a portion of the opening, and a stiffener extending along at least a portion of the lower surface of the cover member, the stiffener comprising a flange spaced apart from the lower surface of the cover member and a web extending between the cover member and the flange, the flange having a raked upper surface.

In some embodiments, the cover member comprises a plate. In some embodiments, the raked upper surface of the flange is in facing arrangement with the lower surface of the cover member. In one form, the raked upper surface of the flange is raked downwardly away from a point at which the flange meets the web.

In at least some embodiments, the raked upper surface of the flange is configured to assist flow of bulk material over the flange. This material may cause to accumulate on the flange during discharge as material flows through the opening and/or on movement of the closure member or wagon after discharge. In this latter arrangement, the flange which typically depends from the undercarriage may be caused to move through the discharged material if it for example the discharge material is caused to overfill a holding tank.

In some forms, the closure member is slideable between the open and closed positions. In a particular embodiment, the closure member is supported on the base at opposite end regions of the cover member, the end regions being slideable along the base to allow movement of the closure member between the open and closed positions.

In some forms, opposite edges of the web of the stiffener join the cover member inwardly of the opposite end regions. In some forms the opposite edges of the web extend along a concave path between the cover member and the flange so as to inhibit stress concentration in the stiffener.

In one form, a rail wagon discharge assembly is disclosed that comprises: a base incorporating at least one opening configured to allow gravity discharge of bulk material from a container of the rail wagon; a closure member associated with the at least one opening and moveable between an open position and a closed position; wherein the closure member comprises a cover member having an upper and a lower surface which in use covers at least a portion of the opening, and a stiffener extending along at least a portion of the lower surface of the cover member, the stiffener comprising a flange spaced apart from the lower surface of the cover member and a web extending between the cover member and the flange, wherein the closure member is supported on the base at opposite end regions of the cover member, the end regions being slideable along the base to allow movement of the closure member between the open and closed positions and wherein opposite edges of the web of the stiffener join the cover member inwardly of the opposite end regions and extend along a concave path between the cover member and the flange so as to inhibit stress concentration in the stiffener.

In some embodiments according to any form described above, the base includes an array of openings and associated closure members.

In some forms, the closure members are interconnected by means of an operative member which effects movement of the closure members between the open and the closed positions. In one form, the operative member comprises a bar extending between the closure members. In a particular form, the bar extends through respective webs of the closure members.

In a further embodiment, a rail wagon is disclosed that comprises: a container; and a discharge assembly as disclosed in any form described above, the discharge assembly forms at least part of a floor of the container, an upper surface of the discharge assembly forming an interior surface of the container, and a lower surface forming at least part of the underside of the wagon.

In one form, the base includes an array of openings and associated closure members, and a plurality of seals operative to seal between the base and the closure members. In a particular form, the base incorporates a plurality of guide portions disposed between adjacent openings, the guide portions having an inclined upper surfaces configured to facilitate gravity discharge of the bulk material to the openings.

In yet a further form, the disclosure is directed to a closure member. In one form the closure member includes the flange on its stiffening formation having a raked upper surface. In another form, the closure member has a cover member and a web that joins the cover member inwardly of opposite end regions of the cover member. The web has opposite edges that extend along a concave path between the cover member and a lower part of the web.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a bulk material railway wagon. As depicted, the wagon 1 includes a bulk material transport container 2 which is positioned and supported atop an elongate railway wagon underframe 3. The underframe 3 is connected to two bogies 4 located near respective ends 5, 6 of the wagon underframe 3. Couplers 7 are mounted to the underframe 3 at opposite ends of the wagon 1 to allow for interconnection of wagons and/or connection of the wagon to a locomotive. The wagon 1 as illustrated is arranged as a hopper for bottom discharge of the bulk material and includes one or more discharge assemblies 20 disposed below the underframe and which forms a floor to the container 2. In the illustrated form, the wagon includes two discharge assemblies which extend along the wagon on either side of a centre sill 8 of the wagon underframe 3.

FIGS. 2 to 4 are various views of the discharge assembly 20 shown separate to the wagon 1 for ease of illustration. The discharge assembly 20 comprises a base 22 which in the illustrated form comprises two discrete frames 24, 26, interconnected by an actuation assembly 29. Each frame includes longitudinal and transverse frame elements (28, 30) and intermediate guide members 32 that extend between the longitudinal frame elements and are spaced apart from one another to form openings 34. These openings 34 form the discharge outlets for assembly 20. It is to be appreciated that the arrangement of the base 22 may vary such that the number and/or the configuration of openings may vary as could the structure of the frames. For example, in an alternative form, the base, or parts thereof, may be integrally formed with the container 2 and/ or the underframe 3 of the wagon.

The discharge assembly further comprises closure members 36 movably mounted on the respective frames (24, 26) and movable between a closed position as shown where the closure members cover respective openings 34 (as best seen in FIG. 3) to an open position (not shown) where the closure members generally aligns with respective ones of the guide members 32. In the illustrated form, this movement of the closure members is by translation along the longitudinal frame elements 28 under operation of the actuating assembly 20.

In the illustrated form, the actuating assembly 29 is disposed between the frames (24, 26) and comprises a piston cylinder arrangement 60 which is mounted on a linkage assembly 62. The linkage assembly in turn is connected to drive rods (64, 66) which extend in opposite directions through the respective frames and are connected to respective closure members 36 (which in one form may be by passing through apertures 76 formed in the webs 44 of the closure members 36 as best seen in FIG. 7). Retraction or extension of the piston cylinder assembly causes a corresponding movement of the drive rods either towards or away from the piston cylinder assembly thereby operating the closure members in unison. Again it is to be appreciated that the closure members may move other than by translation for example they may pivot or rotate or may have a more complex movement that includes rotation and translation. Furthermore the actuating assembly may be configured to operate the closure members individually rather than in unison, or may allow for sequential or batch movement of the closure members depending on the requirements of the system.

FIG. 5 shows components of one form of the discharge assembly 20 in more detail. In the illustrated form, the guide members 32 are formed in a “tent” configuration having inclined side walls 38 which slope to respective openings to encourage the flow of materials in the container 2 into the openings 34. The inclined side walls 38 inhibit hang up of materials by being sufficiently inclined to be typically greater than the angle of repose for the bulk material to promote sliding of the material down the inclined walls and into the openings.

In illustrated form and as best seen in FIGS. 6 to 8, the closure members 36 include plate portions 40 which are configured to extend across the openings 34 when the closure members are in their closed position. In this position the plate portions 40 will be loaded by the bulk material in the container 2. In the form as illustrated, the closure members include stiffening formations 42 which depend from the plate portions 40. These stiffening formations 42, in the illustrated form, include a web portion 44 and flange 46 and are designed to prevent deflection of the plate member under load. The web portion 44 meets the flange 46 at a web connection region 47 which, in illustrated forms, is located substantially centrally on the flange 46.

In the form as illustrated, the flanges 46 are wedge shaped to include upper raked or inclined surfaces 48 which are designed to inhibit hang up on the flanges 46. The upper surface 48 extends outwardly from the web connection region 47 and is in facing relationship with the plate portion of the closure member 23. The upper surface 48 is raked away from the web connection region 47 such that the upper surface 48 slopes downwardly towards the flange periphery 49. The flanges 46 therefore have a greater height at the web connection region 47 than at the flange periphery 49.

It can be seen that illustrated embodiments of the discharge assembly therefore allow flow of bulk materials over the upper raked surface 48 of the flange 46. In use, movement of the discharge assembly 20 between the open and closed position can result in pick up or hang up of bulk materials situated below the wagon. The upper raked surface 48 of the flange reduces that hang up. Further, the upper raked surface would assist flow of materials over the flanges 46 during discharge of materials from the container particularly in embodiments in which the flanges 46 are positioned proximal a periphery of the closure member 36.

In the closed position bulk materials stored within the container interior are supported on the closure member 36. The discharge assembly 20 therefore requires sufficient strength to support the load of the bulk materials within the container. The stiffeners 42 increase the strength of the discharge assembly 20, while minimising materials used and hang up on the closure member 36.

In illustrated forms seals 50 extend downwardly from the container base 22 to contact the closure members 36. The seals 50 obstruct discharge or movement of bulk materials between the closure members 36 and the container base 22. The seals 50 are positioned at the periphery of the openings 21 and are sufficiently flexible to allow the closure members 36 to slide between a closed position illustrated to an open position, whilst maintaining an effective seal. In some forms the seals 50 are brush seals which are well suited for the carriage of grains or other bulk material. However, it is to be appreciated that the seals may take other forms such as polymeric wiper seals or the like.

In illustrated forms, the seals 50 are removably mounted to the base 22 as they require regular maintenance and replacement. In the form as illustrated the seals 50 are mounted within couplings 52 which provide a mechanical fixing arrangement for the seals 50 to the base 22.

In the form as illustrated, the seals are mounted to the underside of the discharge assembly to allow for ease of access to the seal for the purpose of maintenance and replacement. Specifically in the illustrated form the seals are mounted to the underside of the guide tents 32 which include retaining portions 54 which receive end portions 56 of the seals 50 to form the couplings 52. These end portions may be fixed in position by mechanical fasteners, or through an interference connection with the retaining portions. Such an arrangement allows ease of access to the seals (as a result of being positioned on the underside of the wagon) which permits maintenance or replacement of seals without having to enter the rail wagon. Regular replacement of the seals is necessary to maintain the integrity of the container. Having to enter the rail wagon can be difficult as it is a confined space with limited access.

As discussed above, the closure members 36 in the illustrated form are arranged to slide relative to the base 22 between their open and closed positions. In the embodiment shown, the closure members are supported on the base at opposite end regions 70. These end regions locate within channels formed in the frame members 28 of the base (which are formed as C sections) and regions include bearing portions 71 formed on the underside of the plate portion 40 which engage with the frame members 28 either directly or through appropriate rolling bearings (not shown) or the like. To provide adequate clearance for end regions 70 to fit within the channels of the frame members 28, the webs 44 of stiffening formations 42 of the closure members 36 terminate inboard of the outer edges 72 of the plate portion 40. Moreover, to inhibit stress concentration at the join between the plate portion 40 and the web 44, and to reduce material and weight in the discharge assembly, the edges 74 of the webs are convexly curved so that the stiffening formation tapers inwardly towards the flange 46. The inventors have found that such an arrangement still allows adequate stiffening of the plate portion under load, whilst avoiding stress concentration in the join between plate portion 40 and web 44.

FIGS. 9 to 12 illustrate a closure member 80 according to a second embodiment. The closure member 80 includes many of the features of the closure member 36 and like features have been given like reference numerals.

The closure member 80 differs from the closure member 36 in the design of the flange 46. Rather than being of a solid triangular shape, the flange 46 of the closure member 80 includes a pair of mutually enclosed legs 82, 84 that depend from the connection region 47. Each leg 82, 84 includes the raked upper surface 48 that facilitates discharge of material off the flange 48. A benefit of the flange design 46 of the closure member 80 is that there is less material used as compared to member 36 whilst still proving stiffening to the closure member 80.

It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the invention that many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention. 

1. A rail wagon discharge assembly comprising: a base incorporating at least one opening configured to allow gravity discharge of bulk material from a container of the rail wagon; a closure member associated with the at least one opening and moveable between an open position and a closed position; wherein the closure member translates between the open and closed positions and comprises a cover member having an upper and a lower surface which in use covers at least a portion of the opening, and a stiffener extending along at least a portion of the lower surface of the cover member, the stiffener comprising a flange spaced from the lower surface of the cover member and a web extending between the cover member and the flange, the flange having a raked upper surface wherein the raked upper surface of the flange is in facing arrangement with the lower surface of the cover member in the open and closed positions.
 2. The rail wagon discharge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover member comprises a plate.
 3. The rail wagon discharge assembly according to claim 2, wherein the raked upper surface of the flange is in facing arrangement with the lower surface of the cover member.
 4. The rail wagon discharge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the raked upper surface of the flange is raked downwardly away from a point at which the flange meets the web.
 5. The rail wagon discharge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the raked upper surface of the flange is configured to assist flow of bulk material over the flange.
 6. The rail wagon discharge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the closure member is slideable between the open and closed positions.
 7. The rail wagon discharge assembly according to claim 6, wherein the closure member is supported on the base at opposite end regions of the cover member, the end regions being slideable along the base to allow movement of the closure member between the open and closed positions.
 8. The rail wagon discharge assembly according to claim 7, wherein opposite edges of the web of the stiffener join the cover member inwardly of the opposite end regions.
 9. The rail wagon discharge assembly according to claim 8, wherein the opposite edges of the web extend along a concave path between the cover member and the flange so as to inhibit stress concentration in the stiffener.
 10. The rail wagon discharge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the closure member is supported on the base at opposite end regions of the cover member, the end regions being slideable along the base to allow movement of the closure member between the open and closed positions and wherein opposite edges of the web of the stiffener join the cover member inwardly of the opposite end regions and extend along a concave path between the cover member and the flange so as to inhibit stress concentration in the stiffener.
 11. The rail wagon discharge assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base includes an array of openings and associated closure members.
 12. The rail wagon discharge assembly according to claim 11, wherein the closure members are interconnected by means of an operative member which effects movement of the closure members between the open and the closed positions.
 13. The rail wagon discharge assembly according to claim 12, wherein the operative member comprises a bar extending between the closure members.
 14. The rail wagon discharge assembly according to claim 13, wherein the bar extends through respective webs of the closure members.
 15. A rail wagon comprising: a container; and a discharge assembly comprising; a base incorporating at least one opening configured to allow gravity discharge of bulk material from a container of the rail wagon; a closure member associated with the at least one opening and moveable between an open position and a closed position; wherein the closure member translates between the open and closed positions and comprises a cover member having an upper and a lower surface which in use covers at least a portion of the opening, and a stiffener extending along at least a portion of the lower surface of the cover member, the stiffener comprising a flange spaced from the lower surface of the cover member and a web extending between the cover member and the flange, the flange having a raked upper surface wherein the raked upper surface of the flange is in facing arrangement with the lower surface of the cover member in the open and closed positions, wherein the discharge assembly forms at least part of a floor of the container, an upper surface of the discharge assembly forming an interior surface of the container, and a lower surface forming at least part of the underside of the wagon.
 16. The rail wagon according to claim 15, wherein the base includes an array of openings and associated closure members, and a plurality of seals operative to seal between the base and the closure members.
 17. The rail wagon according to claim 16, wherein the base incorporates a plurality of guide portions disposed between adjacent openings, the guide portions having an inclined upper surfaces configured to facilitate gravity discharge of the bulk material through the openings.
 18. A closure member for use in a discharge assembly of a rail wagon, wherein the closure member translates between the open and closed positions and comprises a cover member having an upper and a lower surface which in use covers at least a portion of the opening, and a stiffener extending along at least a portion of the lower surface of the cover member, the stiffener comprising a flange spaced from the lower surface of the cover member and a web extending between the cover member and the flange, the flange having a raked upper surface wherein the raked upper surface of the flange is in facing arrangement with the lower surface of the cover member in the open and closed positions.
 19. The closure member according to claim 18, wherein the closure member is supported on a base of the discharge assembly at opposite end regions of the cover member, the end regions being slideable along the base to allow movement of the closure member between the open and closed positions and wherein opposite edges of the web of the stiffener join the cover member inwardly of the opposite end regions and extend along a concave path between the cover member and the flange so as to inhibit stress concentration in the stiffener. 